Finally, an update...

It has been awhile...since my last post, there's been continued adjusting and changes happening in our family. More bumps, some tears, but also a lot of joy, smiles, and laughter! Leo is doing well. Better than expected. With all that's happened in his past, Marv and I are continually amazed at how resilient and emotionally grounded he seems. He is doing better in school and has made a lot of friends. Maile has been excelling in school! Recently, we had our parent/teacher conferences for both kids, and we were very relieved! Maile also got a Soaring Spirit Award for being such a harmonious student. Her teacher talked of how she has such a loving heart and positive attitude! God is good!

Leo celebrated his 13th birthday on Nov 3rd. We had a big welcome/bday party for him on the 8th and we all had a wonderful time! One of Leo's social workers from the Philippines, Ate MyMy, who is here as an escort for the 8 orphans currently here for ICA's Welcome Home Program, was able to make it to the party as well. It was emotional seeing her again.

Life has been good to us. Maile and Leo have their struggles here and there but they also have their loving moments, which I cherish. It has been over 2 months since Leo has arrived. The month of October was a trying month for all of us but we've come out of it stronger and continue to build our family on a strong foundation of God's Word. I am impressed everyday by Marvin's example of prayer and Godly upbringing for the kids and I see how his influence is rubbing off on Leo. The other day when I wasn't feeling well, Leo took it upon himself to pray with me in the car. It was touching and yet so normal. I thank God.

Special treasures...

Maile was chosen as the "Star Student of the Week" in her class and as part of her special week, she was asked to bring in 3 special treasures to share with the class. She chose Leo as one of her special treasures. I thought that was adorable. Leo was a little embarassed about it. The two of them were pretty shy during the actual share time, but they did good. Maile's teacher asked Maile, "Can you tell us something that makes your brother so special?" She said, "He helps my mom." Cute. That, he does. It is nice to have someone helping with the dishes, vacuuming, and stuff around the house.

Maile also chose to share her basketball trophy and swimming bracelets (she gets a bracelet every time she moves up a level in her swimming classes) as her special treasures. We are so proud of our baby!

Adjusting...

It has been 3 weeks since we have been home from the Philippines. It feels like months have gone by. Leo continues to do well, as far as his adjustment and transition into our family. He started school on the 21st and had a rough first day, getting lost between 3rd and 4th period and having some issues with his combination lock for PE. His first day of school, I was with him for the New Student orientation and tour of his school (Leo was one of 4 new students that day). By the time we were done, his 2nd period class had already begun so I went with him to drop him off there. It was such a comfort to see that Macy, our next door neighbor, was in Leo's 2nd period art class! She greeted us as soon as we walked in. It was hard to say goodbye to him. I could see he was scared. It felt like the first day we brought Maile to daycare! Leo and I both had tears welling up in our eyes.

When Maile and I picked Leo up from school, he had a smile on his face. Praise the Lord! He said that Macy introduced him to a lot of people and he made a friend in one of his classes. Apparently, many of the Filipino kids at the school were excited about his arrival...Macy had been telling her friends about Leo for awhile. She's a great kid with a good heart:o)

Four out of Leo's seven classes are part of the ELL (English Language Learner) program which include Language Arts, Social Studies, English and a free period. His art, PE, and math classes are with the mainstream 7th graders. At this point, Leo is doing okay in school considering the language barrier...still learning English and he's having major issues in Pre-Algebra, so we're probably going to take him down to an easier math class. Overall, Leo has a wonderful, positive attitude about school with the motivation to do well...I know he'll be okay.

The biggest hurdle we've been tackling with Leo is his speed, especially when he's getting ready for school. I guess this doesn't sound like a big deal and is probably pretty normal for a 12 year-old. But when you're trying to get to school, work, or anywhere in time, it's frustrating to see someone doing everything in slow motion. Work in progress. He is getting better...much much better.

Maile is also getting better about her "Little Mommy" syndrome when it comes to Leo. They have their moments...good and bad...but overall they're really such good kids.

1st Post-Placement Assessment...

A post-placement assessment is when your social worker (or case worker) from the adoption agency comes to assess how your adopted child is adjusting to his new family, along with how the adopted family is adjusting to the child. The assessments are done by the first month of the child's placement, then another one by the third month of placement, and the last one is done by the sixth month of placement. These assessments are sent to the Intercountry Adoption Board in the Philippines as well. We had our first assessment on Friday, September 25th.

Our social workers, Cherie and Lorean, came by and grilled us a little bit. But, overall, it was pretty relaxed. Leo did well answering all the questions, and Maile even helped us answer some of the questions they asked Marvin and I about Leo. The kids showed off their bedrooms and we all had dinner together then took pictures. It was a nice time.

One of the things we discussed privately with Cherie was Leo's sensitivity level. Leo is sensitive. Although he doesn't say so much in words to express his feelings, there have been a couple incidents where he has cried. So we talked about that. But overall, Leo appears to be very happy. He doesn't seem to long for the Philippines or his foster family at all. Perhaps he thinks we'll assume he doesn't like us if he admits that he misses anything from the Philippines. So I told him that it's okay to miss his foster family, friends, and social workers...it's normal, I said. Yesterday, he finally said that he misses them a little. That was good to hear.

All in all, I am pretty amazed at the transition that we have ALL made into our new family. Marvin is awesome. And, Maile treats Leo like a "real" brother (which can be good and bad)...I haven't heard her mention him being adopted in a while. I have no doubts that Leo is happy about being a part of our family now. It's all a work in progress, but although there have been a few rough spots here and there...as there should be...there's no denying how happy and complete we feel as a family. To God be the glory!!!

Reunited...

Congratulations to the Ireland Family! Andrea and Jeremy Ireland are a couple who have been going through the adoption journey with us. They adopted a set of three siblings from the Philippines...Reggie (13 years old), Lalaine (11 years old), and Inggo (8 years old). They brought their kids home a week before we left to pick Leo up in the Philippines. The wonderful thing is that Leo and Reggie are great buddies. Andrea and Jeremy have been a blessing to us in supporting us, encouraging us, and praying with us throughout these last months. Not many people can understand the trials this adoption journey takes you through and it's been great to turn to people who really, really know...

We were finally able to see the new and improved Ireland family this past weekend, on September 26th, at their Welcome Reception for their children. What a beautiful ceremony! When Reggie and Leo saw each other again, their smiles were so big! When they hugged...tears filled my eyes! God is so awesome!

The Patterson family also recently arrived home (safe and sound, Thank the Lord!) from the Philippines with their newly adopted son, Julius, who is friends of Leo and the Ireland kids (they were all a part of the same Welcome Home Program that initially brought the children here back in November 2008). We are excited to see all these kids reunited again.

We are also praying for Wes and Lynette Imayanagita, who are in the process of adopting a set of 3 siblings (sisters)...Maribel, Marimar and Angelica...also from the Philippines. With the terrible floods that recently hit the Philippines, we are praying that their children are safe and sound. They are expecting to pick up their kids by Christmas, if all the paperwork moves smoothly. We're hoping for sooner!

Finally home...

It has been a couple days since we came home from the Philippines...God is good! Leo and Maile are doing well. So is Koa! Maile goes back to school tomorrow. Leo will start next week. Leo has met a lot of people in the last two days. He's been holding up good. Maile is adjusting...she is the little "Big Sister" right now...bossing Leo around. But, he doesn't seem to mind so much. Maile has been phenomenol throughout this whole journey...it surprises me how mature she is, spiritually and intellectually. Still dramatic but she's holding up good, too. Right now, we're all very happy...adjusting, tired, and jet-lagged but our home is filled with joy! Praise God!

ICAB...

On Sept 10, 2009 we had our appointment with ICAB (which is the governing adoption board in the PI) to pick up Leo's travel documents. What an overwhelming day...in a good way! Before heading to the ICAB office, we went to the Parenting Foundation (where we picked Leo up) again to meet with the director and again with Leo's social workers. During our visit there, Marvin had the social workers translate some things that we wanted to say to Leo before we went back home. It was very emotional. We cried. The social workers fought tears as they translated some of it. Leo and Maile were mostly quiet. They asked Leo how he felt about coming home with us. He said he was happy. Afterwards, I felt such peace...our family was sealed. I thank God for our family. I thank God for the wonderful husband and father that Marvin is.


Driving to Quezon City to the ICAB office was so not fun. Traffic. Traffic. More traffic. Rough ride for the kids. At the ICAB office, we saw some familiar faces. Bernadette (the ICAB director) and Rutchelle (social worker) were both people that came to California while Leo was here back in November 2008. Happy to see them. We met with Dr. Sotto for awhile, the ICAB psychologist, then signed some papers...one was a form where we had to write a statement to Leo for his file (in case he chose to look through it in the future)....that was a little emotional. Leo got fingerprinted for that form. Then, Imelda (the ICAB social worker) went over all the documents that we would have to show the customs' officials at the PI airport and at LAX. The ICAB people gave Leo a small Filipino flag, a toy jeepney, and a book entitled "Philippines: The land that I came from." It was sweet of them to also give Maile a little doll wearing a Filipino dress. We took a lot of pictures...

From then on, Leo has been in our legal custody...
God is so good!